Duke  University  Libraries 


CR,    ^/'/-i 


D03212468Q 


MINORITY  REPORT 


FROM     THF. 


COMMITTEE  ON  FUIIEIGN  AFFAIRS 

TJ'pon  Resolutions  touching  the  conduct  of  the  War  and  the  tender  of  coii- 
cUiatory  measures  to  the  infiabitants  of  the  North-western  States. 


The  undersigned,  a  minority  of  the  Ooraraittee  on  Foreign  Affairs, 
beg  leave  to  dissent  from  the  report  of  the  majority  upon  certain  re- 
solutions referred  to  the  committee  touching  the  conduct  of  the  war 
and  recommending  the  issuing,  by  the  President,  of  a  proclamation 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  North-western  States,  tendering  to  them 
the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  advantageous  treaty 
stipulations  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

It  is  submitted  that  subjects  relating  to  the  conduct  of  the  war  are 
not  appropriate  matters  of  investigation  by  the  Committee  on  Foreign 
Affairs. 

But  waiving  this  consideration,  the  undersigned  totally  dissent 
from  the  views  of  the  majority  touching  the  duties  of  this  House.  It 
is  a  work  of  supererogation  for  this  body  to  undertake  to  decide, 
and  to  declare,  the  mode  of  conducting  the  war.  It  is  a  question  in- 
volving consequences  of  vital  moment,  legitimately  pertaining  to  the 
functions  of  the  Executive  and  those  who  have  been  chosen  to  lead 
our  armies.  But  if  such  duty  were  in  fact  devolved  upon  this  body, 
as  is  implied  by  the  report  of  the  majority,  it  would  be  in  violation  of 
all  the  rules  of  enlightened  warfare  to  unfold  the  plan  which  it  is  de- 
signed to  pursue  in  the  prosecution  of  the  Avar. 

It  is  believeti  that  thus  far  the  Executive  has  availed  himself  of  the 
means  placed  at  his  disposal  for  conducting  the  war  in  the  manner 
most  judicious  and  effective  ;  and  that  in  the  signal  success  which  has 
attended  our  struggle  for  the  maintenance  of  the  independence  of  the 
Confederate  States,  will  be  found  suflScient  reason  for  leaving  him, 
without  interference,  to  the  exercise  of  the  duties  imposed  by  the  Con- 
stitution. 

The  undersigned  dissent  from  the  recommendation  that  this  Gov- 
ernment shouM  tender  to  a  portion  of  the  citizens  of  the  Government 
with  whom  we  are  at  war,  exclusive  commercial  privileges.  It  is  not 
the  part  of  wisdom  to  commit  our  Government  to  any  fixed  policy  in 


advance.  Legislation  should  not  be  anticipated  but  should  be  shaped 
by  existing  events.  If  a  deviation  from  this  plain  suggestion  of  wis- 
dom be  advised  in  the  present  instance  upon  the  idea  of  the  influ- 
ence of  un  appeal  to  the  self-interest  of  the  inhabitants  of  tlie  North- 
western States,  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  same  argument 
might,  with  equal  propriety,  be  addressed  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Nevr  England  States.  The  manufacturers  of  that  section  would  be 
conciliated  by  pledges  that  a  discriminating  tariff  would,  at  the  close 
of  hostilities  be  put  into  speedy  operation  for  building  up  their  in- 
terests ;  and  shipowners  would  be  propitiated  by  pledges  that  they  would 
be  permitted  to  perform  the  carrying  trade  of  the  South  as  under  the 
old  Union.  And  the  city  of  New  York  would  be  induced  to  pause  in 
her  course  of  folly  and  wickedness,  towards  the  Confederate  States,  if 
assured  that  they  would  confer  upon  her  the  privilege  of  conducting 
their  commercial  affairs  and  enriching  herself  upon  the  proceeds  of 
their  labor. 

The  Northern  people  derived,  under  the  former  government,  an 
annual  profit  of  not  less  than  an  $100,000,000  upon  Southern  trade. 
Their  implements  of  war  will  be  laid  aside  Avhen  assured  that  their 
coffers  shall  be  filled  with  the  proceeds  of  Southern  labor.  But  the 
undersigned  do  not  hesitate  to  repel  the  suggestion  that  the  people 
of  the  South  are  willing  to  purchase  peace  by  such  a  sacrifice  of  their 
rights,  and  by  so  degrading  a  concession  to  Northern  cupidity.  To 
be  respected,  our  course  must  be  firm,  and  our  legislation  rational 
and  just. 

At  an  early  period  after  the  organization  of  the  Government  of  the 
Confederate  States,  a  law  was  passed  declaring  the  free  navigation  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  with  certain  salutary  restrictions.  The  policy 
of  the  Government  has  not  been  changed  on  this  subject.  It  is  pre- 
sumed to  have  been  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Northwestern 
States  before  they  embarked  in  a  wicked  and  unjustifiable  war  against 
the  people  of  the  Confederate  States.  To  proclaim  this  policy  at  the 
present  time,  coupled  with  offers  of  lucrative  trade,  in  the  manner 
suggested  by  the  majority,  would  be,  in  the  highest  degree,  derogatory 
to  the  dignity  of  this  Government.  It  would  bring  upon  it  the  im- 
putation of  pusillanimity.  It  w^ould  be  accepted  by  the  enemy  as  a 
confession  of  conscious  weakness,  and  its  inevitable  tendency  would 
be  to  prolong  the  Avar. 

The  undersigned  are  firm  in  the  opinion  that  the  most  effective 
mode  of  conquering  a  peace  is  not  to  be  found  in  extending  to  the 
enemy  propositions  of  reconciliation,  but  in  the  vigorous  prosecution 
of  the  war. 

The  signs  of  returning  reason,  indicating  a  desire  for  peace  among 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Northwestern  States,  upon  the  discovery  of 
which  the  majority  have  congratulated  the  House,  are  believed  to  be 
delusive.  The  undersigned  regret  to  say  that  they  have  not  been 
able  to  discern  them.  But  in  the  event  of  the  actual  existence  of 
these  alleged  pacific  indications,  it  is  clear  that  they  are  the  result, 
not  of  temporising  expedients  on  the  part  of  the  Government  of  the 
Confederate  States,  but  of  its  manifestation  of  purpose  to  prosecute 
the  war  with  vigor  and  effect. 


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3 


For  these  reasons  the  undersigned  dissent  from  the  views  of  tho 
majority,  and  ask  the  concurrence  of  the  House  in  the  opinion  that 
they  should  be  rejected. 

^  E.  BARKSDALE, 

J.  R.  McLEAN, 
'^  W.  R.  SMITH. 


penmalip^* 

pH  8.5 


